Redchurch Street is one of London’s trendiest streets, so it only makes sense that on a road that packs celebrity hotspot Jolene, bougie perfume store Le Labo and hotel soap supplier Aesop, is an incredibly cool-looking cocktail bar, home to one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had - but more on that later.
Line them up: Chiave's menu is full of sleek showstoppers.
DesignMyNight Reviews Chiave In Shoreditch
Chiave, which is Italian for key, is the brainchild of Selin and Cem. Originally from Istanbul, the duo moved to London three years ago and were captivated by the city’s electric nightlife and cultural richness. With a deep love for underground music (they also run Fake Society, an independent record label) and a passion for hospitality, they saw London as the perfect stage to bring their vision to life.
The bar was very intimate; with only enough space for a handful of guests, it meant that the waiters were attentive and personable, walking us through each drink on the menu. Each tipple was named after a song and, in keeping with the harmonious connection to music that the bar has, there was a QR code you could scan which opened up a Spotify playlist where you could listen to your select song while sipping your drink - an inspiring activity should the conversation hit a bum note on a date.
Among exposed brick interiors and very, very low lighting, my partner and I were seated and immediately snacked on complimentary mini pretzels, a food that was, I imagine, designed with the intent of soaking up all the moisture in your mouth so that ordering a cocktail seems practically medicinal.
I opted for Limbo (£16), made up of Tico Blanco tequila, Dangerous Don mezcal, Ancho Reyes chilli liqueur and sumac. I fear I peaked too soon as this was my favourite drink of the night. One of the best spicy mezcal margaritas ever to tingle my lips, it was incredibly smooth and featured waves of smokiness.
A back lit bar showcases an enviable spirit collection.
Initially reluctant to share, I tried my partner’s Alla Turca Jazz (£16), a twist on the classic espresso martini using Drop Works Rum and Turkish coffee. It was daintily garnished with lokum (Turkish delight), and packed quite a rich and bitter punch, with equally strong notes of coffee and liquor.
I decided to stay in some sort of lane that evening, so ordered Chiave’s only other tequila-based drink for my second, Masterblaster (£16). This time, it was like drinking a margarita made for winter - a concoction I always hoped existed. Tico Blanco was mixed with bitter orange, tarragon and cinnamon to create a very mellow, orange flavour followed by a warming, aromatic heat that hugged my tastebuds.
In the mood for margaritas? Head to Chiave and stay 'til late, dancing in its red room.
A contrasting flavour profile to my partner’s Street Spirit (£16). It married Raki (a Turkish drink made of twice-distilled grape pomace and flavoured with aniseed) with salted caramel, ginger beer and lime to create a summery flavour that was very sweet and refreshing. Tall and transparent, it was the type of tipple you’d want refills of on a beach.
We ended the evening with a small self-guided tour of Chiave’s basement which doubles up as a venue for music nights and events crafted by Cem. As we explored all we could of a red, glowing box room, the DJ for the evening was sound checking with their vinyls. The bass rumbled beneath our feet while leaving, and we spotted one of the waiters wearing an Aphex Twin hoodie - there was no doubt about it - this bar really was for music lovers.
Overall: Chiave
I really loved my time at Chiave - in a city where there are a lot of good cocktail bars, it takes great skill paired with a fantastic vision to make yours stand out, which Chiave does. While I found the space perhaps a bit too small (I would encourage you to book), I liked the intimacy it gave us and the attention we were given as guests. I would undoubtedly return, just so that I’m not left hanging in Limbo.
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💰 Price: £64 for two, excluding service charge. 📍 Address: 36 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP. 👌 Perfect for: Date night. ⭐ Need to know: You can only find out about their DJ nights by signing up for their newsletter. |
Thirsty? Check out our guide to the best cocktail bars in London.
